Service cabinet



3 Sheets-Sheet F. J. MATCHETTE SERVICE CABINET Filed may 13, 1927 Oct. 9, 1928.

Oct. 9, 1928.

F. J. MATCHETTE SERVICE CABINET Filed lay 13, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Wifi/95 .5

Oct. 9, 1928.

F. J. MATcl-IETTE SERVICE CABINET Filed lay 13. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @maw-ah -m Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. MATCHETTE, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 THE SERVIDOR COMPANY 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

SERVICE CABINET.

Application led May 13,

This invention relates to service cabinets Such as are now used extensively in hotels and similar establishments, and has to do more particularly with the door construction of such cabinets.

Service cabinets of the character referred to include a main door frame and cabinet doors hinged thereon at opposite sides and cooperating with the frame to form a service cabinet, the door structure as a whole serving to close the doorway or opening from a corridor to a room. In this cabinet the doors are provided with suitable locks which cooperate with an interlocking'mechanism for preventing simultaneous openingr of both of'the cabinet doors thus maintaining'an effective barrier at all times between the corridor and the room. I preferably use the locks disclosed in my Patent 1,393,149, of October 11, 1921 and the interlock disclosed in my Patent 1,403,559, of January 17, 1922; though it will be understood that any other suitable locks and interlock may be employed; This arrangement permits articles to be placed in the cabinet andremoved therefrom by the hotel employees, and vice versa, without in any way violating the privacy of the guests room. Cabinets of this general type are now well known and in extensive use and need not, therefore, be described in detail.

I have shown my invention as applied to a cabinet in which the doors thereof are bulged outwardly at their central portions to permit of opening of the main door structure as a whole to its fullest extent. Such a cabinet is disclosed in my Patent 1,391,133, of September 20, 1921. In my co-pending application 677,901, of November 30, 1923, I have disclosed a cabinet structure having doors of sheet metal which are of arcuate shape in cross section. these doors being of the bulged type disclosed in my patent re ferred to. Vhile the doors of my application 677,901 have proved to be highly efiicient in many respects, I have found that it is possible to construct a door of this character of greater strength and durability, which can be more readily finished to produce a pleasing appearance, and can be produced at less cost than the door of my copending application. The present invention is intended more particularly asv an improvement over the door structure disclosed in my application 677,901 referred t0.

1927. Serial N0. 191,040.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide adoor of the bulged type referred to constructed of sheet metal in such manner as to possess maximum strength combined with lightness. A further object is to provide a door which can be produced at relatively small cost and in whichthe sheet metal forming the main portion of the door can be readily shaped about reinforcing elements in such manner as to avoid undue distortion or cracking of the sheet metal facilitating finishing of the door so as to present a neat and attractive appearance. Further objects and advantages will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings Fig. l is a perspective view of a service cabinet employing doors constructed in accordance with my invention looking from the corridor side of the door;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the cabinet with the doors closed;

Fig. 3 is an inner face View of the room side door of the cabinet;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5' is a fragmentary section taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the cabinet, partly broken away, taken substantially in the plane of the center of the intermediate or central reinforcing rib, the locks and interlock being omitted for clearness;

Fig. 7 is a section taken substantially on line 7 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form showing the hinge strap as integral with the reinforcing rib.

The main door structure includes a main frame having a lock stile 1, a hinge stile 2, and top and bottom rails 3 and 4, respec` tively. This frame defines a rectangular opening which is normally closed by the cabinet doors hingedly mounted on the stile 2 at opposite sides of the main frame, the cabinet structure and the frame constituting the main door structure which is hingedly mounted in a doorway or opening between a room and corridor, or in any other place where a service cabinet would be of use, this main door structure serving to close the doorway in the well known manner.

The cabinet doors are of similar construction, being formed of sheet metal, and each includes a main plate 5 of sheet steel of suitable gauge and temper. End reinforcin ribs 6 extend transversely of the door adacent the top and bottom thereof. These ribs are of channsi cross section and are pressed out of sheet steel, each being provided at its upper edge with a lateral ange 7 and with a similar flange 8 at its lower edge. More correctly stated, the flange 8 is at the inner edge of the ribs 6. Thls flange is provided, at its inner edge, with an angle e ement 9 which projects .inwardly away from the plate 5. A third reinforclng rib 6 extends transversely of the door intermediate the rib 6. This rib 6a is also of channel cross section and is provided with lateral flanges 8 and angle elements 9a corresponding to the anges '8 and elements 9 of ribs 6. The ribs 6 and 6a are arched outwardly in the direction of their length so that the Han es of these ribs contact with the inner face o plate 5.

In constructing the door, a rectangular plate of sheet steel of proper dimensions is first cut, the upper and lower ends of this sheet being then turned inwardly upon themselves at 10, and the lateral portions of this sheet being bent inwardly upon themselves at 11, the inner portions of these inwardly bent portions being bent again to provide angle reinforcing strips 12 which project inwardly beyond the inner face of plate 5. The top rib 6 is then placed in position between the strips 12 and the flange 7 of this rib is inserted between the upper end of plate 5 a'nd flange 10 formed by bending the end portion of the plate inwardly. This serves to shape the upper end portion of plate 5 to the convex outer face of the rib, the flanges 7 and 10 cooperating to hold the upper end of the plate in shaped condition. Plate 5 is lthen secured to flange 8 of the top rib 6, in any suitable manner as by spot welding. The flange 7 of this rib, may be similarly secured to flange 10 of the plate, though this is not essential. After the plate has been thus secured to the top rib a reinforcing and cushioning structure is disposed adjacent the lower portion of this rib. This structure is formed of two layers 13 of corrugated straw board disposed at right angles to each other. Each layer or strip 13 is of a length to extend between the plate 5 and the angle strips 12. The strips 13 are confined between plate 5 and a metal sheet or panel 14, the panel 14 and the strips 13 being disposed with their upper edge `portions beneath the inner flange of angle elenient 9 of the top rib 6. The central rib 6a 1s then placed in position between the angle strips 12 and so disposed that the inner flange of angle element 9a at the upper edge of this rib extends over the inner face of the lower edge portion of panel 14. The plate 5 is then shaped about the outer convex face of the central rib and secured to flanges 8 thereof by spot welding. The bottom rib 6 is then disposed with its flange 7 between the plate 5 and Hange 10 at the bottom thereof, the lower portion of the plate being shaped about the convex face of this bottom rib and secured thereto by spot welding. A panel 14 and cushion elements 13 are also confined beneath flanges 9a and 9 of the central and bottom ribs. The initial thickness of the two layers or strips 13 of corrugated straw board is appreciably greater than the distance between the plate 5 and panel 14. This cushioning and reinforcing structure is compressed and maintained under pressure between the panel and the plate. This serves to very efectually prevent any objectionable metallic ring or hollow sound and is of veryv material assistance in preventing bending or denting of the plate 5. By referring to Fig. 1 it will he noted that the panels 14 extend throughout by far the greater portion of the area of the door, the ribs being relatively narrow and occupying but little space. The door is, therefore, throughout the greater portion of its area, provided with a cushioning and reinforcing structure which serves to effectually prevent any undesirable hollow sound or metallic ring, this cushioning structure also exerting pressure on the inner face of the plate so as to prevent, to a large extent, bending thereof. The reinforcing ribs, being of channel cross section, possess great strength for their weight and the use of these ribs results in a door of strong construction and light weight. Each of the cabinet doors is provide-d, at the hinge side thereof, with a sheet metal hinge strap 15 which is secured by spot welding to the turned in portion 11. This strap is shaped at its outer end to form a sleeve 16 for reception of a hinge pintle 17. This pintle is formed integrally with a steel block 18 the upper portion of which is turned down to produce the pintle. This block is secured in any suitable manner, as by spot welding, to a hinge amb plate 19, which is secured in any suitable manner, as by nails 20, to the inner edge of hinge stile 2. 'lhis jamb plate is formed from a st rip of sheet steel of suitable length and width, 14 gauge B. & S. steel beingl usually employed for this purpose. Small steel blocks 21 are also welded to thta outer face of hinge jamb plate 19, these locks being disposed closely adjacent the lateral faces of stile 2 and serving to eli'ectually hold the plate against movement transversely of the inner edge of the stile.

A loc-k jamb plate -22 is secured to lock stile l, at the inner edge thereof, by nails 28. A clamping plate 24 is disposed at the outer face of plate 22 and has its lateral edge portions shaped to provide angle elements 25 which co-act with the lateral portions of plate 22 to form channels which receive and llU clamp the inner portions of sealing strips 26 of felt or other suitable material which project laterally beyond the plates 22 and .24. The jamb plates project beyond the st-iles at opposite sides thereof. as illustrated in Fig. 6, for cooperation with the doors. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the lateral portion of each door which is bent inwardly upon itself as previously described, is bent at an angle to the body portion of the door so that. when the cabinet doors are closed, the lateral edges thereof are disposed adjacent the lateral faces of the stiles 1 and 2 so as to conceal the hinge structure and the sealing strips 2G and associated parts thus presenting a neat and pleasing appearance. It is to be noted that by disposing these marginal portions of the door in angular relation to the body of the door, a` channel cross section is imparted to the Whole door which is of material assistance in imparting increased rigidity and strength thereto.

Top and bottom shelves 27 and 28, respectively are secured to the top and bottoni rails 3 and 4, respectively. These shelves are formed of sheet metal and are of channel cross-section, being shaped to conform to the space enclosed by the cabinet doors and of a width to fit snugly against the inner spaces of these doors adjacent the top and the bottom thereof. The doors are connected to the shelves, adjacent the hinged portions of the doors, by stops 29 of hinged construction, these stops having their outer ends pivotally secured to tabs or brackets 3() dis osed at right angles to the ribs (i and formed integrally therewith by shearing and bending a portion of each rib. The inner ends ot the stops are pivotally secured to the shelves. These stops serve to limit opening movement of the doors and also prevent undesirable give or flexing thereof such as occurs wlieie stops are employed at one end of the doors only. The top shelf 27 serves as a closure member for the upper end of the cabinet structure, the shelf 28 serving as a closure member for the lower end of the cabinet and also serving to support articles placed thereon within the cabinet. Preferably a coat hook 31 of suitable type is secured to the top shelf 27 for supporting, by means of suitable hangers, articles of clothing placed within the cabinet.

Each of the cabinet doors is provided with a suitable lock 32, preferably of the type disclosed in my Patent 1,393,149 previously referred to, these locks cooperating with an interlock mechanism 36, preferably of the type disclosed in my Patent 1,408,559. previously refered to; the locks and the interlock cooperating to prevent simultaneous opening of both of the cabinet doors.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated a modified form in which the hinge strap 15a isformed integrally With the reinforcing rib 37, angle strip 12a being cut out to accomodate this hinge strap. Hinge strap 15 is secured to the turned in portion 11 of the plate 5 by spot welding and the turned in portion 11 may be secured to the body of the plate in a similar manner. In constructing the door, the angularly disposed lateral portions or flanges are bent substantially at right angles to the body portion of plate 5 before shaping this plate about the ribs. This is not essential, however, as the marginal portions of the doors can be readily bent into desired position after the plate has been formed about and secured to the ribs.

By constructing the door in the manner' illustrated and described I etl'ect a very material saving in cost over the door construction disclosed in my co-pending application referred. I also find that the construction of door disclosed herein is much stronger and somewhat lighter than the door of my co-pending application. A further advantage derived from forming the main plate 5 about the convex faces of the ribs is that this platel is not appreciably distorted, nor is it cracked, which is a very important consideration as the doors, when completed, present a smooth surface which can be readily finished to produce a neat and attractive appearance. r[his avoids a rather serious objection to the doors which are first formed flat and then bent or shaped by being passed through rollers, as is the door of my copending application above identified, as it occasionally happens that passing the door through rollers to shape it causes cracking of the steel plate which interferes with imparting a perfect finish to the door to closely simulate wood.

'hat I claim is l. In a door construction, spaced reinforcing members disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, and a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the reinforcing members and secured thcrcto. i

Q. 'In a door construction, relatively narrow reinforcing ribs of angle cross-section disposed transverselv of the door and arched in the direction of their length, and a main l door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and .secured thereto.

3. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs of channel cross-section disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length. and a main door plate shaped about the wnvex faces of the ribs and se cured thereto.

4. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs` of channel cross-section disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, and a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and secured thereto by welding.

5. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs llo of channel cross-section disposed transversely ofthe door and provided at their lateral edges with laterally projecting flanges said ribs being arched in the direction of their length, and a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs in contact with said flanges and secured thereto.

6. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs disposed transversel of the door and arched in the direction of t eir len th, a main plate shaped about the convex aces of the ribs and secured thereto, panel members disposed between the ribs in spaced relation to the main plate and held by the ribs against movement away from the plate, and cushion elements confined under pressure between the panel members and the plate.

7. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, a main plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and secured thereto, said ribs having laterallyprojecting flanges, panel members between the ribs and having their upper and lower edges disposed lunder said flanges, and cushion elements confined under pressure beween the main plate and said panel memers.

8. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs of channel cross-section disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, said ribs having 'laterally projecting flanges, a main plate shaped about the ribs and secured to said flanges, the ribs having angle elements projecting from the flanges thereof and away from the plate. panel membersbetween the ribs and having their upper and lower edges disposed under said angle elements, and cushion elements confined under pressure Vbetween the main plate and said panelimembers.

9. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs of channel cross-section disposed transversel of the door and arched in the direction of their length, said ribs having laterally projecting flanges, and a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and secured thereto, the end portionsof the plate heling bent over the outer flanges of the end r1 s.

I0. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs of channel cross-section disposed transversely of the door and arched inthe direction of ,their length, said ribs having laterally projectin flanges, and a main door plate shaped a out the convex faces of the ribs and secured thereto, the end portions of the plate beingbent over the outer flanges of the end ribs and secured thereto.

11. In a door construction, end reinforcing ribs of channel cross-section disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, an intermediate rib between the end ribs and arched in the direction of its length, all of said ribs having lateral flanges, a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and secured to the flanges thereof, the end portions of the plate beiner bent inwardly over the outer flanges of fhe end ribs, the end ribs having angle elements projecting from the inner flanges thereof and inwardly away from the door plate, the flanges of the intermediate rib having similarly disposed angle elements, the lateral marginal portions of the plate being turned inwardly and then shaped to provide reinforcing angle strlps, panel members disposed between the ribs with their upper and lower edges beneath the arms of said angle elements and their end portions beneath the inner arms of the angle strips, and cushion elements confined under pressure between the panel members and said plate.

12. In a door construction, end reinforcing ribs of channel cross-section disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, and intermediate rib between the end ribs and arched in the direction of its length, all of said ribs having lateral flanges, a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and secured to the flanges thereof, the end portions of the plate being bent inwardly over the outer flanges of the end ribs, the end ribs having angle elements projecting from the inner flanges thereof and inwardly away from the door plate, the flanges of the intermediate rib having similarly disposed angle elements, the lateral marginal portions of the plate being turned inwardly and then shaped to provideV reinforcing angle strips, panel members disposed between the ribs with their upper and lower edges beneath the arms of said angle elements and their end portions beneath the inner arms of the angle stri s, cushion elements confined under pressure etween the panel members and said plate, and hinge straps secured to one of the lateral marginal portions of the plate. '13. In a door construction, end reinforcing ribs of channel cross-section disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, an intermediate rib between the end ribs and arched in the direction of its length, all of said ribs having lateral flanges, a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and secured to the flanges thereof, the end portions of the plate being bent inwardly over the outer flanges of the end ribs, the end ribs having angle elements projecting from the inner flanges thereof and inwardly away from the door plate, the flanges of the intermediate rib having similarly disposed angle elements, the lateral marginal portions of the plate being turned inwardly and then shaped to.provide reinforcing angle strips, panel membeisdisposed between the ribs with their upper and lower edges beneath llo Lessen the arms of said angle elementC and tht-ir end portions beneath the inner` arms ol' the angle strips, cushion elements confined under pressure between the panel members and said plate, and hinge straps secured to one of the lateral marginal portions of the plate and to the respective ribs.

14. In a door conslriuftion. reinforcing ribs disposed transvcrsehv of the door and arched in the direction ot' their length. a plate shaped about and secured to said ribs, and hinge straps integral with and extending from the ribs.

15. In a door construction, reinforcing ribs disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, a plate shaped about and secured to said ribs, and hinge straps integral with and extending from the ribs, said traps being secured to the adjacent marginal portion of the plate.

16. In a service cabinet. a main door frame including hinge and lock Stiles and top and bottom rails. a hinge iainb plate secured to the hinge stile, a lock ianili plate secured to the lock stile. a clampinz.r plate secured to the lock stile. sealing strips cxtending alongr the lateral edges :it the lock jamb plate. .said plates having cooperating;r

elements receiving and clamping` said strips,

and doors hingedly mounted on the hinge jamb at opposite sides of the main frame and of a Width to extend beyond and Contact with said strips.

1T. In a ,service cabinet, a main door frame including hinge and lock stiles and top and bottoni rails. a hinge jamb plate secured to the hinge stile, a lock jamb plate secured to the lock stile, a clamping plate secured to the lock jamb plate and having lateral angle elements forming channels with the lateral portions of the jamb plate, sealing strips secured in said channels, and doors hingedly mounted on the hinge jamb plate at opposite sides of the main frame and of a Width to extend beyond and contact with said strips.

18. In a door construction, end reinforcing rilis disposed transversely of the door and arched in the direction of their length, an intermediate rib between the end ribs and arched in the direction of its length, and a main door plate shaped about the convex faces of the ribs and secured thereto.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of May, 1927.

FRANK J. MATCHETTE. 

